Publisher: The Gresham Library
The moving story of a little Swiss girl's devotion to her simple mountain home in the Alps. When Heidi moves to Frankfurt, to become the companion f Clara, the children become great friends. But Heidi misses her mountain home and longs to return to her family.
A collection of three short stories and two novellas written between 1897 and 1898. All the stories had first been published in various monthly periodicals and this was the first volume to collect these stories. Contains: The Crystal Egg; The Star; A Story of the Stone Age; A Story of the Days To Come; The Man Who Could Work Miracles.Show book
"The Bishop's Apron" is a novel written by W. Somerset Maugham, a British playwright and author, first published in 1906. The book is known for its wit, humor, and exploration of themes related to social class, morality, and the clergy. The novel is set in the fictional English cathedral town of Polchester and revolves around the lives of the clergy, particularly the Bishop of Polchester, Archdeacon Cuthbert, and the charming and somewhat unconventional Canon Ronder. The story's central plot is set in motion when the Bishop loses his cherished apron, an heirloom with great sentimental value. The missing apron leads to a series of misunderstandings, secrets, and humorous situations involving the clergy and the local community. As the narrative unfolds, Maugham delves into the lives and relationships of the clergy, revealing their human foibles, desires, and struggles beneath their respectable exteriors. The characters grapple with questions of morality, faith, and the tension between their spiritual callings and earthly desires. "The Bishop's Apron" is often classified as a social satire and comedy of manners. Maugham employs his signature wit and keen observation of human nature to create a humorous and satirical portrayal of the clergy and the society in which they live. Through his characters, he explores the hypocrisy and absurdity often associated with the upper echelons of society and the church. While "The Bishop's Apron" may not be as well-known as some of Maugham's other works like "Of Human Bondage" or "The Razor's Edge," it remains a noteworthy contribution to his body of work. The novel provides a window into the Edwardian era in England and offers a witty and entertaining examination of the human condition, morality, and the quirks of English society.Show book
Leo Vincey is haunted by a goddess. In a nighttime vision, she appears to him, revealing her location deep in the mountains of Central Asia. Determined to discover his lost love, he searches for sixteen years, finally discovering a lost civilization, ruled by an ambitious queen of unearthly beauty. Could this be his Ayesha reborn? And if so, will the secret of immortality bind them together for eternity?Show book
The Battle of Life: A Love Story is a novella by Charles Dickens, 1st published in 1846. It's the 4th of his five "Christmas Books", coming after The Cricket on the Hearth, followed by The Haunted Man & the Ghost's Bargain.The setting is an English village that stands on the site of a historic battle. Some characters refer to the battle as a metaphor for the struggles of life, hence the title.Battle is the only one of the five Christmas Books that has no supernatural or explicitly religious elements. (One scene takes place at Christmas time, but it isn't the final scene.) The story bears some resemblance to The Cricket on the Hearth in two aspects: it has a non-urban setting & it's resolved with a romantic twist. It's even less of a social novel than is Cricket. As is typical with Dickens, the ending is a happy one.It's one of Dickens' lesser-known works & has never attained any high level of popularity, a trait it shares among the Christmas Books with The Haunted Man.Show book
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) published more than thirty books in her lifetime, but it was her “girls’ story," Little Women, that has captured the imagination of millions. This coming-of-age story spotlights beloved tomboy Jo March and her sisters Meg, Beth, and Amy in a heartwarming family drama. Part of the Gibbs Smith Women's Voices series.Show book
"Sons and Lovers" is a semi-autobiographical novel by D.H. Lawrence and is often considered his earliest masterpiece. Set in the coal-mining town of Bestwood, Nottinghamshire, the narrative delves into the complexities of family, love, and Oedipal tensions. The story chronicles the life of Paul Morel and his bond with his mother, Gertrude Morel. As Paul matures, he navigates relationships with two very different women, all while struggling with his deep emotional ties to his mother. Lawrence's exploration of sexuality, class, and individual aspirations is both poignant and controversial, making "Sons and Lovers" a groundbreaking work in its time.Show book
